(VOVworld) – The number of foreign tourists to Hanoi is up 20% so far this year. This encouraging result is partly thanks to city information campaigns. On today’s edition of Discovery Vietnam, VOV reporter Le Phuong looks at ways tourists can now get information about Hanoi.

The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been intensifying campaigns to promote local tourism. Its website www.hanoitourism-info.gov.vn provides information about Vietnam’s culture, geography, weather, and natural resources in both Vietnamese and English. This website is linked to web pages of the Council for Promotion of Tourism in Asia and the provincial Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The city has also installed 70 touch screens at major tourist sites around Hanoi. Mai Tien Dung is Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism:"We have set up a center in charge of promotion and information for tourists. This center operates a network of information booths in the city, including booths at Noi Bai airport, Ly Thai To park and the Opera House. There, tourists can find brochures, leaflets and maps of Hanoi.”

Tourism promotion events have been organized here and abroad to make foreigners more familiar with Hanoi. Yves-Maria Fleury is from France:“Previously I had planned to visit Vietnam but couldn’t do it. After looking at publications at Hanoi tourism booth during Hanoi Days in Paris, I thought I will definitely go there. Hanoi in pictures looks so beautiful and peaceful. For me such information is basic and but not too detailed so that we can discover the city’s beauty ourselves.”

Travel agencies are a major information channel for tourists. Thuy Duong works for Opentour Joint Stock Company:“Before coming to Hanoi, tourists get basic information of this city through our company’s website. Of-course they still come to our company to get more detailed advice about tours, destinations and services. Foreigners often ask about Hanoians’ lifestyles and their food. The advice is free of charge.”

According to a recent survey by VISA, a global payments technology company, people who have visited or plan to visit Vietnam consider on-line tourism information their best choice. The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will use this finding to tailor better information services for visitors.